Don't lose deposits by failing to clean properly

Recent years have seen a growing trend towards people across the UK living in rented accommodation and this means more people are leaving deposits with landlords that they're hoping to see returned at the end of their tenancy.

However, moving out and leaving a property dirty can be one of the most common reasons for deposits to be withheld, so renters should make sure their end of tenancy cleaning is thorough if they wish to get all of their money back.

Landlords are keen to ensure that the properties they rent out to people are maintained in a clean and presentable state throughout the tenancy, but at the end of the agreed letting they also want to turn that property around quickly to get it back on the market.

As such, tenants that make the effort to ensure their home is spotless when they leave for the last time are in a much stronger position to receive their full deposit, as the landlord can be assured there are no unpleasant surprises waiting for them when they go to rent it out again.

Anyone gearing up to move out of a rented home should give the property a thorough, deep clean, with a focus on areas like the bathrooms and kitchen of particular importance. These are rooms that will generally have a lot of use and therefore may be in need of a more thorough clean than others.

At the same time, all furniture throughout the home should be moved to uncover what lies beneath, while carpets, floors and any remaining fixtures and fittings should be cleaned and everything given a thorough tidy.

Alternatively, tenants could bring in the services of a professional cleaner to ensure the property they are leaving is as clean and welcoming as the day they moved in when they hand back the keys.